SPARTAC vehicle use denied by Brockport board

The fate of an out-of-commission police vehicle that had been striped for use by SPARTAC members was decided by a vote of three to two at the Village of Brockport's August 15 meeting. Its use was vetoed and the vehicle will be sold at a municipal auction.

"On July 20, the use of the SPARTAC car came before the board. Concerns were raised on the need for it and now we need to decide to re-activate it or sell it," Brockport Mayor Mort Wexler said.

Police Chief Dan Varrenti said he had done everything within his power to educate the board on the importance of the vehicle to both the community and the volunteers who man SPARTAC.

"The use of a vehicle is an evolution of the program for these volunteers; it's not an end result," Varrenti said.

Trustee Mary Jo Nayman said she had concerns with whether the board was being frugal with taxpayer money by allowing this vehicle to be put into use. "SPARTAC started as a committee of volunteers who walked the neighborhoods but now I am seeing expenses such as uniforms and now a vehicle," she said.

Varrenti said the purchase and use of uniforms by the volunteers commands respect and lends them an air of professionalism when they are patrolling the streets. As for cost, Varrenti said if he has to put extra police officers on patrol it will cost up to $50 per hour whereas the SPARTAC members are volunteers and cost the village nothing.

Trustee David Wagenhauser suggested the vehicle be put into use on a trial basis. "The car could be a great visual deterrent," he said. "It's already been striped."

Trustee Maziarz said in the spirit of volunteerism the use of the vehicle could be a good recruitment tool for SPARTAC.

Fire Chief Christian McCullough said the cost of saving a few pennies on insurance for the use of the vehicle is "pennies" compared to the thousands that could be realized in savings by utilizing a volunteer force.

"The only thing we offer volunteers in this community, including in the fire department, is access to quality equipment," he said.

Maziarz and Wagenhauser voted for the vehicle's use while Nayman and Trustee Maria Castaneda voted against. Wexler broke the tie against the vehicle's use. It was also decided the vehicle would be taken to the municipal auction in October.

In other matters the board:

•Approved the request to set up bid specifications for the replacement of the roof at the Market Street Firehouse;

•Heard that the police department has responded to 7,781 calls year to date;

•Heard that the fire department has responded to 557 fire and 1,028 ambulance calls year to date;

•Approved the appointment of 10 additional volunteers to the Welcome Center Greeter program, bringing the number to 85;

•Appointed Thomas Calandra as village attorney;

•Appointed David Lippitt as the village's labor attorney at a rate of $140 per hour. Trustees Wagenhauser and Maziarz voted against the motion saying they needed more information on the scope of the work Lippitt would be involved in. Castaneda, Nayman and Wexler approved the appointment;

•Approved the appointment of Hal Legg to the Assessment of Board of Review.